Middle name starting with same letter as first name

[scottishGirl]

Hello
We had planned that if we have a girl her middle name will be Elsie after my gran. We were undecided on a first name for ages but are now strongly considering Eilidh.

Does Eilidh Elsie work or is there any issue with the middle name starting with same letter as first name ?

Surname is a 4 letter one syllable name. Not beginning with E thankfully!

Just check the initials don't spell anything. Otherwise noone really cares what the middle name is anyway. I like both names, but I wouldn't say they "flow" if that's important to you.

Middle names are only of interest to immediately family so don't worry about it.

Double E could spell EEK, EEL, EEW though so maybe a consideration as one day she might marry and want to change her name.

I personally wouldn’t do this. Well not with Eilidh Elsie as I don’t think that works. Another E name maybe.

I really like the name Eilidh.

I don't think names necessarily need to flow and middle names are rarely wheeled out, especially beyond the immediate family.

Just want to mention, my school friend was Ailie rather than Eilidh.

Her Mum was our primary school teacher and didn't want to use the full blown Gaelic spelling to save her spelling it out her whole life! Ailie also has Gaelic roots though if that's what you're going for.

(Fed up of auto correct changing Gaelic to garlic 😆)

I’ve got no issue with repeating initials (DD is A.A. Surname), but I’m not sure that Eilidh Elsie works very well. (Yes, I do know how to pronounce it).

Middle names don’t matter so just choose one you like.

Hi thanks all. I agree that the names just don't flow together sadly. It's good to know that repeating initials can work / be acceptable though for future reference, and it's more just that this combo of names don't work.

I'll have a think about alternatives. If we have a second baby and they happen to be a girl we can keep Elsie for then.
Thanks ☺️

Elsie is very popular right now. Could you use it as a first name?
if your grandmother was Elsie, was it short for Elizabeth or Elspeth?
Those flow better with Eilidh because they don't rhyme..
Middle names aren't used that much anyway so I think you could use Elsie.

Eilidh Elsie Johnson would be Eilidh Johnson 99.9% of the time.

I assume you are pronouncing it Ayley, if so it doesn’t go, my great Aunt was Elsie Elizabeth. I think you’ll be hard pushed to find a name beginning with E that goes well before Elsie.

Elsie Elizabeth is the same name twice.
Lots of the names starting with E start with El or end in an 'ie' sound.

EEJ or E E Johnson is fine - the surname might be something completely different, try it with the name. E E Lee or Eilidh Bailey might not work.

Yeah unfortunately it's a name that doesn't seem to flow well as a middle name with E first names. And yes pronounced like Hayley without the H.

And my grans name is just Elsie, not short for anything. She's 96 and I'm close to her, would have loved to use it, but I think we are set on Eilidh and it just not going to flow with Elsie.

Thanks for all your input will have a think of alternatives.

Use it as a first name @scottishGirl . Your gran will be delighted.

Use it as a first name
another option have a second forename before it if you would like it to flow better maybe ?

This has inspired me!

We are now thinking of adding a second middle name (partners gran). Does Eilidh Laura Elsie flow any better?

Yes flows much better.

Yes! Sounds lovely.

Or, could you consider calling her Eilidh with Elsie as a pet name?

Seemed to be just fine for e e cummings.

My father's initials were BBB - ie. 2 forenames and surname all beginning B. He didn't have the same forenames as any of his relatives, so I can only assume that his parents were fed up with their families' traditions of passing on names.

No one needs three names. She'll hate having to fill out forms. Then there will be an issue that her name on birth certificate is three names - and on some documents will inevitably not fit in - and will be two. And then - if she is ever in different countries, or need legal documents - documents with different names can create problems.
Just don't.

Elsie is such a pretty name on it's own. The other one you like will make her go through life spelling her name for people. And, of course - it'll be mispronounced, and needing corrections.
My H has a name like that - spelling out his name for many years. He was adamant he was not going to do it to his children.

I hear you on the forms, something I will think about further. Would welcome hearing from others as to how much of an issue it's been for them.

However, Eilidh in Scotland is widely known. I appreciate this won't be the case in other parts of the UK. Pronunciation or spelling issues in Scotland, which is where we live, would not be frequent. Probably actually quite rare!
I appreciate going on holiday, or if they later move elsewhere, it would be an issue, but not in typical day to day life while they live with us.

I have three names (plus surname) and have never had any issues (besides one of them being quite hideous, thus embarrassing to share).

I have four names and have never had an issue.
DS has three long names, also no issues.
Eilidh Laura Elsie is a beautiful name.

That's not true at all about the forms - hasn't been an issue for my DC and we've travelled around etc! And they love writing out their full names and do it when they don't have to (on homework etc). Their full names are still shorter than, for example, most Spanish names.

By the time she's old enough to fill forms they'll almost all be online anyway. And her phone will remember the name and autofill.

For me - as I moved countries and continents - a lot of friends with long names had issues. But I guess staying in UK may not be an issue.
It's all fine when young kids like doodling long names. Not same as having to do as adults.

In general - I don't get a point of middle names. But if you must - just pick one. You may have more kids - keep the other grandma for the other child. Why pile both to one?